Southern California -- this just in

Original Clifton's facade to be revealed after more than 50 years

February 8, 2012 | 9:56
am

For more than half a century, metal gates have covered the Broadway facade of Clifton's Brookdale Cafeteria. But on Wednesday, the gates are coming down -- the first stop in a restoration of the restaurant considered to be one of Los Angeles' oldest.

At an event at 11 a.m., the facade that has been covered since the 1950s will be revealed.

The restoration of Clifton's is part of the city's Bringing Back Broadway initiative, a 10-year plan to revive the movie palaces, restaurants, merchants and, eventually, a street car on the historic downtown thoroughfare between West 2nd Street and Olympic Boulevard.

Clifton's new owner, Andrew Meieran, who developed the Edison bar also in downtown, has invested $3 million into rejuvenating the cafeteria, The Times reported last year. Four bars, a fine dining restaurant, a bakery and small shops will join the beloved cafeteria.